Circuit interrupter



March 2, 1954 w. M. LEEDS CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May18, 1950 9 K ORNEY INVENTOR Winthrop M. Leeds. (K BY l} ATT/ March 2,1954 w, LEEDS 2,671,147

CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER Filed May 18. 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.5.

INVENTOR Winthrop M. Leeds.

ATTORNEY March 2, 1954 w. M. LEEDS 2,671,147

CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER Filed May 18, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig.7.

INVENTOR WITNESSES: 7

69 Winthrop M. Leeds. ww

cification taken .in

2,671,147 "GI'RGUIT INTERRUPTER W nthrop Le ds urg s e so cc ic Corital-,acci'ncra on c b rgh,

In st Pitts wV n a ation Application May-18, 1950,- Serial No.-162',65899mins (L -;2 .0-'= 0) .l invention: relates to circuit interrupters, ingenera1,. and-- more particularly to I arewx- Y tinguishingistructures;therefor.

'A general objecttofi my inventioneis touprovideanimprovedcircuitzinterrupter in .Whichthe cir- I cu-itstherethroughiis. interrupted.- Gertain features of my invention ihav: particularvapplicationlto circuit interruptmore: quicklyand effectively ers of theliquidsbreak-type.

A more specific. object isto provide 1 an improved liqui'd break type ofcircuit interrupter which :pressure is: generated at a one ,of 1 twoserially related arcs and is I forced through .im-

proved conduit means toward 1 the other serially related areQknown as aninterruptingarc, to mcre readilyfeifect the =latters 'extinction.

Another object is to providean improved liquid break; circuitinterrupter of the typehavin ga pair of terminalz'bushings extending.into

an insulating liquid and havingan improved v pressure generatingextinguishing unit ,disposed atthesubmerged end of oneterminalbushing-and having-- an improved interrupting arc -extinguishing unit'disposedat the submergedend of the other terminal bushing.

Another object is to provide an improved circuit interrupterof thetype-set'iorth in the immediately precedingwparagraph in which animproved hollow 1 crossbar construction is provided electrically andnectingthe two units.

#Another object is to provide an improved liquid- 7 hydraulicallyinterconbreak l circuit" interrupter of the typeestablishingg.pressure-generating: and interrupting arcsiin whichimproved arc-extinguishing units: are associated -:with the. pressuregenei-fating and interrupting arcs.

Another" objecti'is to provide an improved arrangement' efthezextinguishingiunitsxofa multi- --phase circuit interrupter within a.single tank.

-Flurther objects-and advantages :will readily become apparent uponreading. thefollowing speconjunotionwith the drawings in which:

Figure 1 :isza side elevational view, partially -in section, :ofi animproved circuit interrupter aembodyingcmyiinyention and shown in the.closed circuit positicn;

: Fi ure is anenlar ed side, .elevat onal view partially inVBItiGfirlxfifiQfiQh, of :the interrupter therein-fi uresa e s ne iew-taarlene sure 12- looking;

in vertical section, ofa

poles of a circuit single tank construction, each pole being of thestill another modified type of "circuit i e y appende essure senerc ii stime.

line IVr-lVofFigure ;2, looking in the direction of s the :arrows;

: Figuret-fi isran enlargedside elevationalview,

partially in verticalsectien, ofa modified=type tion;

Figure 6 is. a sectional view :taken along the line VITVI' of Figure 5.looking in the. direction of the: arrows;

Eigure'lisa side elevationalview; partially -moclified type of circuitinterrupter. embodyingmy invention and shown inthe closed. circuitposition;

Figure 8 is. a sectional view taken-alongthe line VIII-VIII ofLFigure 7,lookingtiinthe direction of the arrows;

Figure an a sectional view taken. along'the 1ine IXIX of Figure 7,lookingrinthe direction of the arrows;

Figure 10 is a sectional view,-somewhat--diagrammatic, indicating thedisposition oi three interrupter disposed in a fdpeshown-in Figure 7;

Figure 11 is a verticalsectional-viewthrough terr ter embodying myinvention, the contacts being shown in the closedcircuit position;

F gure .lz a ect ona -view taken a ong e li of :Fi u ex l ockin n he diecticr c he arr s: and

isur ,1.. s a secti na v ew kee elcoe h ine lIIfXliIl .o 'l igur .1lockin the li- .rec i e c t circus,

'Reter ing toihe drawin s and mor nart celarly. to Figure 1. th ef he.efe ence nu era ,l d signat s fil ed to thrille e 2 with a suit blearkert n ishme fluid 3. (in t i instan e c rcu breake 11 Deucndinfromthe cove 4 of ice t n re wp erm elb ne -infi to the lower end o w ha r ushing un t-1 an int u ing erc tin uisb ins un 8 El tri a ly an h rul al in e co n c ing h tw rnits end Bis tubnla fluid c n uits act atevertic yin a c rocal. by:

interrupting chamber 9.

sure-generating arc l3 established therebetween being formed within apressure-generating chamber generally designated by the referencenumeral H and defined by a plurality of ringshaped plates IS. The plates|5 are held together by insulating tie bolts |5a.

The interrupting arc-extinguishing unit 8 includes a stationary contactstructure It which cooperates with the upper end I! of the conduit 9 toestablish an interrupting are l8 within a vented interrupting chambergenerally designated by the reference numeral I9 and defined by aplurality of ring-shaped insulating plates 20, 2| having differentinternal diameters. Preferably, one or more vent plates 22 areassociated with the upper end of the unit 8, each of which has aconfiguration more clearly shown in Fig-- ure 4.

The operation of the interrupter set forth in Figures 1 to 4 inclusiveis as follows. During the opening operation, suitable mechanism (notshown) operates to move the operating rod downwardly, causingsimultaneously a separation of the contacts I2 and l6, IT to establishsimultaneously a pressure-generating arc l3 within thepressure-generating chamber l4 and an interrupting are [8 establishedwithin the Since both units I, 8 are immersed in' oil, oil completelyfllls the units.

Hence, the pressure-generating arc l3 reacts upi on the oil within barIt to form gas which forces oil under presthe pressure-generatingchamsure out of the pressure-generating chamber l4 through the interior23 of the crossbar or conduit 9 in the direction of the arrows into theinterrupting chamber IS. The flow of oil from unit 1 into unit 8 strikesthe interrupting are It! and passes out of the unit |9 through the ventopening 24 afforded by the one or more vent plates 22. The flow of oilout of the unit is indicated by the arrow 25.

Extinction of the interrupting arc l8 soon occurs, and the continueddownward movement of the operating rod l0 and tubular crossbar 9 causesboth ends l2, ll of the crossbar 9 to pass completely out of the un'tsI, 8 to the open-circuit disconnect position, indicated by the chainlines 28 of Figure 1 For moderate voltages to 69 kv.), only oneinterrupter of the multi-orifice type, as set forth in United StatesPatent 2,406,469, issued August 2'7, 1946, and United States Patent2,467,760, issued April 19, 1949, to Leon R. Ludwig, Winthrop M. Leedsand Benjamin P. Baker and assigned to the assignee of the instantapplication, is required for the interrupting duty. However, theconventional oil breaker uses duplicate interrupting units on the twoterminals of each pole. A great simplification can be achieved in thecontact structure, if, instead of putting both a pressure-generating andinterrupting gap on each terminal, the pressure for oil flow can begenerated in a single gap on one terminal and transmitted to a singleinterrupting gap on the other terminal. The interrupting structure setforth in Figures 1 to 4 describes features for accomplishing thisobject. It will be noted that I have used a tubular moving contactcrossarm 9 combining the functions of current conduction and fluid flowtransmission between the pressuregenerating unit I and the interruptingunit 8. The interrupter set forth in Figures 1 to 4 shows one of thesimplest embodiments of my invention where the moving contact andcrossarm 9 may be made of a simple, U-shaped, bent metallic tube, forinstance, or copper or aluminum,

Pressure generated in the left-hand chamber l4 forces oil through thetube 9 to the top vented interrupting chamber I9 at the right, as viewedin Figure 2, where the arc is deionized and extinguished.

The arrangement set forth differs from Figures 1 to 4 in the right-handinterrupting'chamber only, with a piston construction associated withthe left-hand chamber for the prevention of cavitation, and also tospeed up the interruption of low currents where the self-generatedaction is weak. This interrupter will now be described.

It will be noted that in Figures 5 and 6 I have provided a pistonarrangement, generally designated by the reference numeral 23,associated with the left-hand pressure-generating chamber 1, apressure-gencrating arc l3 being established, as before, between thestationary contact structure U and the upper end |2 of the crossbar 9.As before. an insulating operating rod l9 causes the vertical actuationof the tubular fluid conduit 9.

The right-hand interrupting chamber 29 is of modified construction, ascompared with .the interrupting chamber l9 of the unit 8 of Figure 2,and in this instance forms a multi-orifice interrupting structuregenerally designated by the reference numeral 30 and follows theteachings set forth in the aforesaid patents.

Observing the interrupting unit 29, taken in conjunction with thecross-sectional view 6,. it will be noted that an upstanding, rod-shapedcontact portion 3| is'integ'rally formed with the conduit 9 with vents32 leading outof the tubular conduit 9 just below the rod contact 3| asshown in Figure 5. The rod contact 3| cooperates with the stationarycontact structure It of the unit 29 to establish an interrupting are l8within the multi-orifice interrupting structure 30.

The multi-orifice interrupting structure '39 is made up of a pluralityof contiguously disposed insulating plates, these plates being of threedifferent types. The first type of plate is called a vent plate and isgenerally designated by the reference numeral 33 of Figure 6. The'ventplate 33 is of composite construction and in this instance includes twolaterally spaced half plates 34 spaced apart to form two opposed ventpassages 35. Immediately above and below each vent plate 33 is anorifice plate 36, the configuration of which is more clearly shown inFigure 6. The orifice plate 36 has an aperture 31 through which therod-shaped, movable interrupting contact 3| passes. The orifice plate 36also has a pair of kidney-shaped openings 38, as was the case with thevent plate 33, the purpose'for which will be more fully explainedhereinafter.

Adjacent to each orifice plate 33 is an insulating inlet plate 40 havinga configuration more clearly shown by the dotted lines of Figure 6. The

cutout portion 40a permits entrance of oil from the two verticalpassages 4 formed by the alignment of the several openings 38, to passinwardly toward the interrupting arc |8. The oil then passes upwardlyand downwardly through the orifices 31 provided by the orifice plates 33to pass out of the interrupting unit 29 through the two opposed ventpassages 35. As mentioned previously, the passage configuration conformsto the teachings of the foresaid patents.

It will be noted that with the constructionset forth in Figures 5 and 6,the deionizing action is particularly effective by the :multi-oriiiceinterrupting structure 39 provided. Also, the piston 28 biaseddownwardly by a-compression spring 7 sure-generating are (not shown)within a multioriflce pressure-generating interrupting structure,generally designated by the reference numeral 13. Thepressure-generating interrupting structure I3 is composed of a pluralityof suitably configured insulating plates disposed in contiguousrelation, and having a shape more fully disclosed in Figure 12. plates.The first type of plate is herein called an inlet plate being designatedby the reference numeral 14. The inlet plate 14 has a cutout portion 15removed therefrom so that oil may pass from the pressure-generating arcpassage 16 to the vertical flow passages 5|. From the vertical flowpassages 5|, the oil enters the tubes to pass through the conduit 69 tothe interrupting arc-extinguishing unit 11.

The second type of plate is herein called a pocket plate 18 and has aconfiguration more clearly shown by the full lines of Figure 12. Thepocket plate 18 has a relatively large central aperture 19 and twooppositely disposed apertures 50, which, upon alignment with otherapertures 50, form the vertical flow passages 5| through which the tubes10 pass.

' The third type of plate is herein called an oriflce plate 80 and hasthe same configuration as the pocket plate I8, except the centralaperture 8| if of smaller diameter than the aperture 19 of the pocketplate 18.

Upon the establishment of the pressure-generating are (not shown)between the contacts ll, 45a, the oil within the multi-orifice,pressuregenerating, arc-extinguishing unit 82 is vaporized and passes inopposite directions out through the inlet passages 83 provided by thecutout portion to pass into the two vertical flow passages 5|. The oilpasses downwardly through the tubes 10 and into the hollow conduit 69 oflarge internal diameter.

The right-hand, multi-flow, interrupting, arcextinguishing unit 11 iscomposed of three dif-- ferent types of plates, two of which have aconstruction identical to the plates heretofore discussed inconnectionwith the unit 82 namely, plates H and 8|]. However, in place of thepocket plates 18, heretofore discussed in connection with thepressure-generating unit 82, vent plates 84 of composite constructionare employed shown by the full lines in Figure 13. The composite ventplates 84 are formed by the lateral spacing of two half plates 85, 86 toform two opposed vent passages 81 leading out of the unit 11.

The operation of the interrupter of Figures 11 to 13 will now bedescribed. Upon downward opening movement of the operating rod I0,conduit 69 likewise moves downwardly carrying with it the movablecontacts 45a, 88 which respecttively separate from the stationarycontacts H,

I6 to draw, respectively, a pressure-generating arc and an interruptingare (not shown).

The pressure-generating arc generates pressure within the multi-orifice,pressure-generating chamber I3 to force oil out through the inletpassages 83 into the vertical flow passages 5|, and down through thepair of tubes In to pass laterally through the hollow conduit 69. Theoil, under pressure, then passes upwardly through the tubes 89, 90disposed, respectively, within the vertical flow passages 9|, 92 to passinwardly through the inlet passages 83 provided by the inlet plates 14.After passing through the apertures 8| provided by the orifice plates80, and hence into intimate contact with the interrupting arc, the oilthen passes laterally outwardly out of the inter- There are threedifferent types of "8 rupting unit 11 through the opposed vent passages81 provided by the vent plates 84. The resulting effective deionizingconditions brought about by the oil flow quickly effects extinction ofthe interrupting arc, and the circuit is open.

Continued downward opening movement of the operating rod l0 and tubularconduit 69 brings about a withdrawal of the contacts 45a, 88 and tubes10'. 90 and 9| out of the units 82, 11 to the open-circuit, disconnectposition (not shown).

From the foregoing description of a few embodiments of my invention, itwill be apparent that I have provided an improved circuit interrupter inwhich fluid flow is effectively brought about. Also, it will be apparentthat I have provided an improved conduit construction not onlyelectrically connecting the units disposed at the lower ends of theterminal bushings 5, 6, but also provided a hydraulic transmissionbetween the two units to bring about effective oil flow. The structureis simple, compact and readily accessible. The multi-orifice,pressure-generating chamber construction set forth in Figures 7 and 11is very efiective because of the oil trapped in pockets and held closelyto the arc. Also, during interruption of low currents, effectivedeionizing conditions are brought to bear upon the pressure-generatingare as well as upon the interrupting arc. The piston constructionprovided not only afiords'a flushing flow of fluid following highcurrent interruption, but also provides a desired piston flow during lowcurrent interruption, when the pressure generated at thepressure-generating arc may be relatively weak.

Although I have shown and described specific structures, it is to beclearly understood that the same were merely for the purpose ofillustration, and that changes and modifications may readily be madetherein by those skilled in the art without departing from the spiritand scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A circuit interrupter including a vented interrupting chamber havinga pair of substantially arallel passages disposed therein, a relativelystationary contact disposed at one end of one of the passages, a movableconducting conduit having a movable rod-shaped contact secured theretoand movable therewith, the movable rodshaped contact cooperating withthe stationary contact within said one passage to establish aninterrupting arc therealong, the conduit having a tubular portionentering and movable along the other of said passages, a plurality ofspaced inlet passages interconnecting the two aforesaid passages, meansfor forcing fluid through the conduit and through the tubular portionthereof, and the fluid passing successively through the spaced inletpassages toward the interrupting are as a result of the opening movementof the tubular portion along said other passage.

2. A circuit interrupter including a vented interrupting chamber havinga pair of substantially parallel passages disposed therein, a relativelystationary contact disposed at one end of one of the passages, a,movable conducting conduit having a movable rod-shaped contact securedthereto and movable therewith, the movable rodshaped contact cooperatingwith the stationary contact within said one passage to establish aninterrupting arc therealong, the conduit having a tubular portionentering and movable along the other of said passages, a plurality ofspaced inlet passages interconnecting the two aforesaid passages, meansfor forcing fluid through the conduit and through the tubular portionthereoL-and the are passing successivel through spaced inlet passagestoward the interrupting are as a result of the opening movement of thetubular portion along said other passage, and means for laterallyventing the interrupting chamber at a pluraiit or spaces points alongsaid one passage.

3. A circuit interrupter including a substantially confinedpressure-generating chamber, a vented interrupting chamber spaced awayfrom the pressure-generating pair of substantially parallel passagesdisposed therein, a relatively stationary contact disposed atone end ofone of the passages within the interrupting chamber, a movableconducting conduit interconnecting the pressure-generating chamber withthe interrupting chamber and having a movable rod-shaped contact securedthereto, the movable rod-shaped contact cooperating with the stationarycontact within said one passage to establish an interrupting arctherealong, the conduit having a tubular portion entering and movablealong the other of said passages, a plurality of spaced inlet passagesinterconnecting the two aforesaid passages, the pressure establishedwithin the pressure-generating chamber forcing fluid through the conduitand through the tubular portion thereof, and the fluid passingsuccessively through the spaced inlet passages toward the interruptingare as a result of the opening movement of the tubular portion alongsaid other passage.

4. A circuit interrupter including a substantially confinedpressure-generating chamber, a vented interrupting chamber spaced awayfrom the pressure-generating chamber and having a pair of substantiallyparallel passages disposed therein, a relatively stationary contactdisposed at one end of one of the passages within the interruptingchamber, a movable conducting conduit interconnecting thepressure-generating chamber with the interrupting chamber and having amovable rod-shaped contact secured thereto, the movable rod-shapedcontact cooperating with the stationary contact within said one passageto establish an interrupting arc therealong, the conduit having atubular portion entering and movable along the other of said passages, aplurality of spaced inlet passages interconnecting the two aforesaidpassages, the pressure established within the pressure-generatingchamber forcing fluid through the conduit and through the tubularportion thereof, the fluid passing successively through the spaced inletpassages toward the interrupting are as a result of the opening movementof the tubular portion along said other passage, and means for laterallyventing the interrupting chamber at a plurality of spaced points alongsaid one passage.

5. A circuit interrupter including a vented interrupting chamber havinga pair of substantially parallel passages disposed therein, a relativelystationary contact disposed at one end of one of the passages, a movableconducting conduit having a movable rod-shaped contact secured theretoand movable therewith, the movable rod-shaped contact cooperating withthe stationary contact within said one passage to establish aninterrupting arc therealong, the conduit having a tubular portionentering and movable along the other of said passages, a plurality ofspaced inlet passages interconnecting the two aforesaid passages, meansfor forcing fluid through the conduit and through the tubular portionthereof, and

hamber and having a with the stationary 10 the iiuid passing through thespaced inlet passages toward the interruptingarc.

"6. A circuit interrupter including a vented interrupting chamber havingapair of substan tially parallel passages disposed therein, a relativelystationary contact disposed at one end of one of the passages, a movableconducting conduit having a movable rodshaped cont-act -secured theretoand movable therewith, the move rod shaped contact-cooperating with thesize tionary contact with-in said one passage to establish aninterruptin are therealong, the conduit having a tubular portionentering and movable along the other of said passages, a plurality ofspaced inlet passages interconnecting the two aforesaid passages, meansfor forcing fluid through the conduit and through the tubular portionthereof, the fluid passing through the spaced inlet passages toward theinterrupting arc, and means for laterally venting the interruptingchamber at a plurality of spaced points along said one passage.

7. A circuit interrupter including a substantially confinedpressure-generating chamber, a

' vented interrupting chamber spaced away from the pressure-generatingchamber and having a pair of substantially parallel passages disposedtherein, a relatively stationary contact disposed at one end of one ofthe passages within the interrupting chamber, a movable conductingconduit interconnecting the pressure-generating chamber with theinterrupting chamber and having a movable rod-shaped contact securedthereto, the movable rod-shaped contact cooperating contact within saidone passage to establish an interrupting arc therealong, the conduithaving a tubular portion entering and movable along the other of saidpassages, a plurality of spaced inlet passages interconnecting the twoaforesaid passages, the pressure established within thepressure-generating chamber forcing fluid through the conduit andthrough the tubular portion thereof, and the fluid passing through thespaced inlet passages toward the interrupting arc. I

8. A circuit interrupter including a substantially confinedpressure-generating chamber, a vented interrupting chamber spaced awayfrom the pressure-generating chamber and having a pair of substantiallyparallel passages disposed therein, a relatively stationary contactdisposed at one end of one of the passages within the interruptingchamber, a movable conducting conduit interconnecting thepressure-generating chamber with the interrupting chamber and having amovable rod-shaped contact secured thereto, the movable rod-shapedcontact cooperating with the stationary contact within said one passageto establish an interrupting arc therealong, the conduit having atubular portion entering and movable along the other of said passages, aplurality of spaced inlet passages interconnecting the two aforesaidpassages, the pressure estabpressure-generating chamber forcing fluidthrough the conduit and through the tubular portion thereof, the fluidpassing through the spaced inlet passages toward the interrupting arc,and means for laterally venting the interrupting chamber at a pluralityof spaced points along said one passage.

9. A circuit interrupter including a substan tially enclosedarc-extinguishing unit having a pair of substantially parallel passagesdisposed therein, a relatively stationary contact disposed in one of thepassages, a movable conducting conduit having a movable rod-shapedcontact secured thereto and movable therewith, the movable rod-shapedcontact cooperating with the 5 stationary contact within said onepassage to establish an arc therealong, the conduit having a tubularportion movable along the other of said passages, a plurality of spacedinlet passages interconnecting the two aforesaid passages, and the fluidpassing through the inlet passages and also through the conduit duringthe opening operation.

WINTHROP M. LEEDS.

12 References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSNumber Name Date 2,228,232 Hilliard Jan. 7, 1941 2,445,442 Leeds et alJuly 20, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 76,758 Sweden Apr. 1,1931 522,369 Great Britain June 1'7, 1940 648,635 Germany Aug. 6, 1937749,959 France May 15, 1933 801,284 France July 31, 1936

